Santa’s Sleigh to Make a CyberStop for Patients at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

WHAT: Patients and families atChildren’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMCwill have a chance to meet with Santa and let him know what toys are on their wish lists this holiday season thanks to the Cisco Santa Connection Program. This interactive experience enables patients to remotely connect and communicate with Santa using Cisco’s video collaboration technologies. Santa will visit with children in the hospital’s playroom and, for those patients who aren’t able to leave their rooms, a mobile cart will help Santa travel room-to-room for a bedside visit.

WHY: During the 2011 holiday season, more than 15 hospitals throughout the U.S. will participate in the Cisco Santa Connection Program. This interactive experience enables hospitalized children to remotely connect and communicate with Santa using Cisco’s video collaboration technologies. Through the magic of the Internet, children are connected over video directly to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole where they can share their wish lists directly with Old St. Nick. After a personal conversation with Santa, children can join their families and enjoy a holiday party complete with gifts at the hospital. The Santa Connection Program was developed four years ago to provide children and their families a bit of holiday cheer and happiness during their hospital stay.

Note to Media:Media interested in attending should park in the hospital’s main driveway and meet Andrea Kunicky in the lobby to be escorted to the event.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

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